Karlyn - Romans 10:9

S - 10:9 For if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved!

O - SO SIMPLE!  Even now that I'm a believer I still make things harder than they have to be!  All he asks for is Confession and Faith!

A - I need to sow this in my actions to unbeleivers around me so they can really see just how simple salvation is!

P - Lord thank you that you offer salvation to everyone!  Thank you for making redemption so simple for us because it wsn't simple for you.  I love you Lord and I'm so thankful for your provision.

Karlyn - Romans 8 and 9

S - 8:31  What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?
O - all I have to say to that is AMEN!
A - Fear should never enter my mind because God is my fortress!

S - 9:20-21 But who are you o man to talk back to God?  Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?"  Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

O - Great reminder not to question God on why I am the way I am.

A - Instead allow him to use my "flaws" and weaknesses for his glory!

P - I'm in Grapevine TX through Saturday at my national BeautiControl convention!!!!  Very exciting but tiring.  Praying for a vision for this next year and praying for the women who will be touched by this opportunity and experience!

Have a safe trip Ginny and praying for the rest of you too!

Ginny - Romans 8

Good Morning Girlz!!! This will be my last post this week. I'm out of town starting tomorrow and won't have access to a computer. Hope y'all have a great rest of the week and weekeend, and I'll be back on Monday. Love you all!

S - "But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it." vs 25

O - Faith and hope go hand and hand. We must have faith in our Lord that what He has up his sleeve is worth waiting for. It's all about the adventure and living in the now. Taking each day for what it's worth and not worrying about the unknown.

A - This verse brings me renewed strength to keep going. What do I have to worry about? God knows. He's never left, and the possibilities of what's next are endless. I want to enjoy life right now, each day.

P - Lord I pray that I may bask in your joy and care everyday. May others see my joy and may I point them to You. To You be the glory!

Ginny - Romans 7

I miss y'all!!!! I've been having so much fun being lazy and redecorating my kitchen & bathrooms. I wish y'all were here to help and be lazy with me! Anyone want to come to Lubbock??? I have peanut butter m&m's!!!

S - "For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate."

O - Oh Paul I love ya! Does anyone else give an understanding nod to this? I can sure relate! It just sounds confusing, but that's why it makes perfect sense. We know what is right, yet we chose a different path sometimes.

A - I see this in my life in food & finances. I know what is right, but I turn this way, or I turn this way, or I just stop. Whatever it may be -- "I am not practicing what I would like to do."

P - Lord help me get back on track. Help me to see what is right and have the strength to do it!

Karlyn - Romans 7:17-18

S - 7:17-18 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.  For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is , in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of good is not.

O - I feel like this a lot.  I have such good intentions and I hear the holy spirit telling me what he wants me to do but then I can ignore that calling and just be selfish and do what I want or not do anything at all. 

A - In our book club last night we talked about Joy and how when we're praising God, singing to God, serving him by helping others, and in his Word it's so much easier for us to have joy because we aren't focused on selfishness but Him.  That's where I stand every day, am I going to be selfish and think only about me and the problems that I have or things I don't have or am I going to focus my attention on Christ and others.  I want to do the second part a whole lot more than I am!

P - Lord help me to listen when you speak to me and not just have good intentions but act on what you want me to do.  Help me not to focus on my needs and wants.  Thank you for all the second chances you give us.

Ginny - Romans 6

Hello Girlz!!! There is something about typing this while sitting on my couch that makes me very happy! Vacation is wonderful!

S - "For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace." vs 14

O - Sin does not dictate who we are...forgiveness does. When we let sin hold us in bondage and squeeze the life out of us, we are missing out of the freedom and love offered through out Savior. I don't know why He does it, but He does. His arms are always open. We must chose to walk into them.

A - Have y'all ever read Francine Rivers, Redeeming Love? I am reading it right now. It is my first Francine Rivers book, and have had many people tell me she is wonderful. So far they are right! This book is wonderful! It is such a picture of God's love and acceptance and our constant cycle of wanting to return to the old, sinful life. What is it that I keep going back to that is not good for me? Food, selfishness, pride... God has so much more to offer!

P - Lord, help me be strong to resist the temptation to return to that which is comfortable. Thank you for Your grace.

Karlyn - Romans 6:22

S - But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification and the outcome, eternal life.

O - We all know 6:23 but I've never paid much attention to this verse.  I think it's interesting Paul's choice of words.  benefit results in sanctification.  We usually think of benefits being something special or valuable and this is how he refers to sanctification.  When I think of sanctification it's usually not something fun because you're going through a building of Christ's character in you and taking off the sin nature.  A lot of times that can be a really hard change or test.  I appreciate Paul's optimistic outlook on sanctification.  It's definitely a positive thing, but I tend to dread sanctification because it can be hard.

A - Part of the reason sanctification is hard for me is because I don't want to let go of my sin nature.  Because I'm freed from sin I need to love Christ more than my sin.  I need to have eyes for sin like God does.  It should be ugly and completely unappealing!

P - Lord thank you that I'm freed of sin and help me to look forward to sanctification  because it makes me look like you and brings me closer to home.  Help me to be disgusted with my sin.

Have a great Monday and sorry I was MIA a few days last week.